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From the Main Street Director’s Desk

Strategy for downtown: the Art of Recreation

by Rae Gosling | Grayling Main Street Executive Director

As you may recall from last week, I discussed the Main Street Refresh being led by Michigan Main Street (MMS) and National Main Street Center (NMSC). As part of the process Grayling Main Street (GMSt) took time to evaluate our community and our goals for Downtown Grayling.

GMSt participation with Project Rising Tide (PRT) and NMSC provided us with community input during the public engagement sessions, leakage reports from ESRI, and market analysis information from professionals. The data showed us what draws people to Grayling, what needs our residents are leaving to fulfill, and offered insight into how we can change that situation to better favor local providers.

Reviewing this data prompted the GMSt Board to identify a specific strategy for the Downtown Grayling efforts that is in line with our needs, assets, and resources. The strategy selected by the Board is the Art of Recreation. This transformation strategy will encourage a focus in our events and projects toward promoting the artist, artisans, and makers in our downtown, as well as the great outdoors recreation opportunities in our community.

We hope to promote an increase in recreational outfitters and small local artisans in our downtown, making ourselves a destination for quality locally sourced products. We want our downtown to provide a unique and complete experience for our residents and visitors.

A major factor in actualizing our mission is volunteer and financial support for the program. This year, in conjunction with the Refresh, we took time to review our donor program. In looking at how we show appreciation for financial contributors, and how we can engage with new donors we discovered some opportunities for improvement. During the process, we developed a refreshed partnership program that we feel better portrays our appreciation and offers partners an opportunity to reap something from the investment they are sowing in our community. Information about how to become a partner of Grayling Main Street will be available on our website, or can be requested from the GMSt office by mail, email, or phone.

Want to know more about #RediscoverDowntownGrayling and what’s next on our agenda? Check back in future editions of the Avalanche for more From the Main Street Director’s Desk. You can also check out our website, www.DowntownGrayling.com, find us on Facebook, or email your questions to DowntownGrayling@gmail.com.

Rae Gosling is the Grayling Main Street Executive Director. She has been with the program since April 2016. She is a Grayling resident, wife, mother, local shopper, avid supporter of all things Grayling, and keeps everyone on their toes wondering what color her eye shadow and hair will be next.